System and Method for Maintaining Airflow within an Inflatable Booth

ABSTRACT

A system and method for maintaining airflow within an inflatable booth is herein disclosed. The system can comprise an inflatable frame, one or more air inlets, one or more air vents, and one or more exhaust panels. The inflatable frame that can at least partially define an interior space. At least a portion of a surface of the inflatable frame within or on the boundary of the interior space. The air inlets can receive air for the inflatable frame. The air vents can be on the portion of the surface of the inflatable frame. The air vents can allow air to pass from the inside of the inflatable frame to the interior space. The exhaust panels can be positioned on one of the wall section facing the direction of the air vents. Each of the exhaust panel can comprise a filter.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to a system and method for maintaining airflowwithin an inflatable booth.

When used car dealerships purchase used automobiles, often the usedautomobile has basic wear and tear such as scratches. A low costsolution to this problem is to apply paint to a car, however due toenvironmental and other concerns, the paint must be applied in anenclosed space. Larger dealerships with an expansive fleet often have anenclosed space on their lot dedicated to making such repairs. However,smaller lots with smaller resources often do not have such facilities.Instead, they must send each car to an outside facility. However, suchprocess puts mileage on the car, increases the time that the car must beaway from the lot, requires additional man-hours moving the car, andtherefore makes the process of applying the paint more expensive. Assuch it would be useful to have an improved system and method formaintaining airflow within an inflatable booth

SUMMARY

A system and method for maintaining airflow within an inflatable boothis herein disclosed. The system can comprise an inflatable frame, one ormore air inlets, one or more air vents, and one or more exhaust panels.The inflatable frame that can at least partially define an interiorspace. At least a portion of a surface of the inflatable frame within oron the boundary of the interior space. The air inlets can receive airfor the inflatable frame. The air vents can be on the portion of thesurface of the inflatable frame. The air vents can allow air to passfrom the inside of the inflatable frame to the interior space. Theexhaust panels can be positioned on one of the wall section facing thedirection of the air vents. Each of the exhaust panel can comprise afilter.

A method for maintaining airflow within an inflatable booth is hereindisclosed. The method can comprise the step of maintaining air supply toan inflatable booth. The inflatable booth can comprise an inflatableframe, one or more air inlets, one or more air vents, and one or moreexhaust panels. The inflatable frame that can at least partially definean interior space. At least a portion of a surface of the inflatableframe within or on the boundary of the interior space. The air inletscan receive air for the inflatable frame. The air vents can be on theportion of the surface of the inflatable frame. The air vents can allowair to pass from the inside of the inflatable frame to the interiorspace. The method can also comprise the step of pushing air from theinflatable frame through the air vents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an inflatable booth such as an mobile paint booth.

FIG. 2 illustrates inflatable frame within interior space of mobilepaint booth.

FIG. 3 illustrates second wall comprising an entry port.

FIG. 4A illustrates one or more exhaust panels mounted on wall section.

FIG. 4B illustrates filter comprising a sheet barrier.

FIG. 4C illustrates the inner surface of second wall comprising exhaustpanel.

FIG. 4D illustrates an external view of exhaust panels comprising aflap.

FIG. 5 illustrates first wall comprising a second door, one or moreorifices, and a pair of air inlets.

FIG. 6 illustrates internal view of mobile paint booth whereininflatable frame comprises a plurality of air vents.

FIG. 7 illustrates an emergency exit placed in one or more wallsections.

FIG. 8 illustrates an external view of mobile paint booth comprising aplurality of ropes.

FIG. 9A illustrates how mobile paint booth can be expanded.

FIG. 9B illustrates internal view of mobile paint booth at an expandedstate.

FIG. 9C illustrates how mobile paint booth can be secured in place.

FIG. 9D illustrates an automobile being maneuvered into mobile paintbooth.

FIG. 9E illustrates automobile within mobile paint booth.

FIG. 9F illustrates external view of first wall comprising second doorand orifices.

FIG. 9G illustrates emergency exit in one of wall section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein is a system and method for maintaining airflow withinan inflatable booth. The following description is presented to enableany person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimedand is provided in the context of the particular examples discussedbelow, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actualimplementation are described in this specification. It will beappreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation(as in any development project), design decisions must be made toachieve the designers' specific goals (e.g., compliance with system- andbusiness-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from oneimplementation to another. It will also be appreciated that suchdevelopment effort might be complex and time-consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in thefield of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure.Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limitedby the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scopeconsistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates an inflatable booth such as an mobile paint booth100. In one embodiment mobile paint booth 100 can comprise an inflatableframe 101, a roof 102, a floor 103, and a plurality of wall sections104. Mobile paint booth 100 can be an inflatable booth that provides anenclosed space for automotive paint repairs. Moreover, mobile paintbooth 100 can prevent chemicals used in automotive paint repairs frombeing released outside mobile paint booth 100. Additionally, mobilepaint booth 100 can prevent any solid particles from the outersurroundings to contaminate the paint that is being applied to anautomobile. As such, applying the paint within mobile paint booth 100can produce a better and smooth coating of paint on an automobile.Further, mobile paint booth 100 can be made of fire-retardant materialsuch as a PVC tarpaulin.

Inflatable frame 101 can provide structure to mobile paint booth 100.Inflatable frame 101 can allow mobile paint booth 100 to be portable andeasy to set-up. Inflatable frame 101 can comprise a plurality ofvertical supports 101 a, in one embodiment. Each vertical support 101 acan be placed at the opposite sides of mobile paint booth 100 andpositioned parallel to each other. In another embodiment, inflatableframe 101 can comprise a base support 101 b, a first set of upper beams101 c, a second set of upper beams 101 d, and one or more horizontalbeams 101 e. Roof 102 can be connected at the top portion of inflatableframe 101. As such, roof 102 can serve as a top covering for the innerportion of mobile paint booth 100. In one embodiment, roof 102 cancomprise of translucent materials that can allow natural lights to entermobile paint booth 100. Floor 103 can be connected at the bottom portionof inflatable frame 101. Therefore, floor 103 can serve as a bottomcovering for the inner portion of mobile paint booth 100. In oneembodiment, floor 103 can comprise a durable plastic sheeting materialthat can include but is not limited to high-density polyethylene. Assuch, floor 103 can withstand high temperatures. Moreover, HDPE canprotect the ground or the outer surroundings from the chemicals that canbe used within mobile paint booth 100.

Wall sections 104 can be connected at each opposite sides of inflatableframe 101. Further, in one embodiment, roof 102, floor 103, and wallsections 104 can comprise of a durable sheet material such as plastic,or fabric that can include but are not limited to PVC tarpaulins oroxford nylon. Furthermore, inflatable frame 101, roof 102, floor 103,and wall sections 104 can define an interior space 105 and an exteriorspace 106. As such interior space 105 can be the working space createdwithin mobile paint booth 100 while exterior space 106 can be the outerportion surrounding mobile paint booth 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates inflatable frame 101 within interior space 105 ofmobile paint booth 100. In this embodiment, vertical supports 101 a candefine the vertical boundaries of interior space 105 and exterior space106. In one embodiment, vertical supports 101 a can comprise cornersupports 201, and middle supports 202 between corner supports 201.Corner supports 201 and middle support 202 can be along a first wall203. Base support 101 b can substantially in the shape of a “U”. Basesupport 101 b can connect each of vertical supports 101 a at the bottom.In one embodiment, the base of the “U” of base support 101 b can bealong the bottom of first wall 203. First upper beam 101 c can connect afirst set of corner support 201 a and middle support 202. Second upperbeam 101 d can connect a second set of corner support 201 b.Additionally, second set of corner support 201 b can be along a secondwall 204. Horizontal beams 101 e can connect first upper beam 101 c andsecond upper beam 101 d together. Further, upper beams 101 c and 101 dcan form an arc at the top portion of mobile paint booth 100, in oneembodiment. Further, middle support 202 in between base support 101 band first upper beam 101 c can form an I-shape structure. Such exemplarystructure can allow mobile paint booth 100 to have a better windresistance while still allowing for a vehicle to pass within device. Inone embodiment, vertical supports, base support, upper beams, and upperhorizontal beams and upper beams can be connected to together such thatair can pass between them, and they inflate and deflate together.

In another embodiment, additional middle supports 202 can be betweenother corner supports. In one embodiment, pairs of middle supports onopposite sides of mobile paint booth 100 can be connected by additionalupper beams 101 c. In one embodiment, upper beams 101 c can all beparallel with each other.

FIG. 3 illustrates second wall 204 comprising an entry port 300. Entryport 300 can be a re-sealable opening accessible to an automobile. Assuch, entry port 300 can comprise a cut 301 that is big enough to fit anautomobile. Cut 301 can be a division made on a surface that provides anopening to an object or person. In one embodiment, cut 301 can be madeat the top of the surface then down at the opposite sides. In thisembodiment, cut 301 can form an inverted U-shape. In another embodiment,cut 301 can be made from the bottom of the surface then upward at theopposite sides. In such embodiment, cut 301 can form a U-shape. Furtherin another embodiment, cut 301 can be made on one side, top, and bottom.As such, cut 301 can form a C-shape. Furthermore in some embodiments,cut 301 can be in a T-shape or an L-shape.

Further as an exemplary structure, cut 301 of entry port 300 can be inan inverted U-shape. Moreover, cut 301 can be connected with wallsections 104 through a zip fastener 302. In this embodiment, entry port300 can further comprise a first door 303 a, and a mat 304. Door 303 acan be a re-sealable passage that is used to enter and/or exit mobilepaint booth 100. As such door 303 a can also comprise cut 301 on entryport 300 that can be fastened with zip fastener 302. Mat 304 can be adurable sheet material such as plastic or fabric and is placed directlybelow entry port 300. Moreover, mat 304 can extend from interior space105 to exterior space 106. As such, mat 304 can be used to protect entryport 300 when entry port 300 is unzipped from second wall 204 by lyingover entry port 300 if entry port 300 is lying on the ground.

FIG. 4A illustrates one or more exhaust panels 401 mounted on wallsection 104. In one embodiment, exhaust panels 401 can be placed aroundentry port 300. Furthermore, each exhaust panel 401 can comprise afilter 402. Filter 402 can prevent passing impurities and solidparticles, while allowing clean air to pass through exhaust panel 401.Further in one embodiment, filter 402 can be replaceable with a newfilter 402.

FIG. 4B illustrates filter 402 comprising a sheet barrier 403. Sheetbarrier 403 can hold filter 402 in place on wall section 104. In oneembodiment, filter 402 can be permanently attached with sheet barrier403 through methods that can include but are not limited to sewing, orthrough use of adhesive materials. Furthermore, sheet barrier 403 can beattachable to a surface of wall section 104 through a fastening device404. Fastening device 404 can include but is not limited to a zipper,hook and eye, snap fasteners, and/or a hook and loop fastener. In suchembodiment, one side of sheet barrier 403 can comprise a first fasteningdevice 404 a.

FIG. 4C illustrates the inner surface of second wall 204 comprisingexhaust panel 401. To connect sheet barrier 403 with second wall 204, asecond fastener 404 b mateable with first fastening device 404 a can beattached at the inner surface of second wall 204 over an exhaust orifice401 a. As such, second fastener 404 b can be placed around the edges ofexhaust panel 401. In this embodiment, the position of first fastener404 a can be compatible with the position of second fastener 404 b. Insuch embodiment, filter 402 can be attached to exhaust panel 401 byfastening first fastener 404 a in sheet barrier 403 with second fastener404 b on second wall 204.

FIG. 4D illustrates an external view of exhaust panels 401 comprising aflap 405. Flap 405 can allow air coming out from exhaust panels 501 tomove in one direction. In this embodiment, flap 405 can direct the airfrom exhaust panels 501 to go upward. As such, the outer edges of flap405 can be permanently attached to second wall 204, leaving only the topedge of flap 405 open. Furthermore, the outer edges of flap 405 canconnect to second wall 204 through methods that can include but are notlimited to sewing, or use of adhesive materials.

FIG. 5 illustrates first wall 203 comprising a second door 303 b, one ormore orifices 501, and a pair of air inlets 502. Orifices 501 can be are-sealable opening that comprises cut 301 placed at the bottom portionof first wall 203, in one embodiment. In such embodiment, orifices 501can comprise a fastener 503. Furthermore, orifices 501 can allow airpressured devices and tools such as a hose to pass through first wall203. For purposes of this disclosure, fastener 503 can be a device thatcan temporarily connect and/or separate two objects together. Thus,fastener 503 can include but is not limited to zipper and/or a hook andloop fastener.

Air inlet 502 can allow air from exterior space 106 to enter and fill upinflatable frame 101. As such, air inlet 502 can be placed at the outersurface of inflatable frame 101. Moreover, air inlet 502 can beconnectable to an air pump 504. In one embodiment, air inlet 502 can beplaced at the bottom. In such embodiment, air inlet 502 can be connectedto base support 101 b.

FIG. 6 illustrates internal view of mobile paint booth 100 whereininflatable frame 101 comprises a plurality of air vents 601. Air vents601 can be openings that allow air to flow through within interior space105. As such, air vents 601 can allow the air that is pumped fromexterior space 106 to enter interior space 105. Moreover, air vents 601can capture and contain chemical particulates within interior space 105thus reducing the harmful effects of an automobile paint. In oneembodiment, air vents 601 can be pointed in a common direction, such astoward exhaust panels 401. In such embodiment air can pass throughinterior space 105 in a unidirectional movement.

Air pump 504 must be sized according to the characteristics of mobilepaint booth 100. For example, if mobile paint booth 100 is 16′×16′×9′,with twelve air vents 601 each around 3″×3″, then one or more air pumpscapable of pushing around 5,000 cfm of air will be sufficient to supportmobile paint booth, not damage the booth, and also maintain sufficientair turnover within interior space 105. At a minimum air within interiorspace 105 should turn completely at least once every twenty minutes.

FIG. 7 illustrates an emergency exit 700 placed in one or more wallsections 104. Emergency exit 700 can be used as an accessible and quickescape from mobile paint booth 100. Moreover, emergency exit 700 can bea panel connected with wall section 104 through a quick release fastener701 that can include but is not limited to a hook and loop fastener. Assuch, emergency exit 700 can be used to seal an opening 701 on wallsections 104. In this embodiment, a quick-pull handle 702 made onemergency exit 700 can provide a quick escape from interior space 105 ofmobile paint booth 100. Further in one embodiment, emergency exit 700can comprise of a transparent material that can serve as a window toworkers that is within mobile paint booth 100.

FIG. 8 illustrates an external view of mobile paint booth 100 comprisinga plurality of ropes 801. Ropes 801 can be used in tying down mobilepaint booth 100 to the ground. In scenarios wherein mobile paint booth100 can be installed in areas with strong winds, ropes 801 can ensurethat mobile paint booth 100 is secured in place. Ropes 801 can beequally distributed at the opposite sides of mobile paint booth 100. Assuch, ropes 801 can be placed at the opposite wall sections 104. In oneembodiment, ropes 801 can be permanently attached to wall section 104.In such embodiment, ropes 801 can be connected to wall section 104through sewing or through use of adhesive materials. In anotherembodiment, ropes 801 can be connected to ropes 801 through a hookdevice 802. In this embodiment, hook device 802 can be permanentlyattached at the outer surface of wall sections 104. As such, one end ofropes 801 can be tied onto hook device 802 while the other end of ropes801 can be tied to the ground. Further in one embodiment, the other endof each rope 801 can comprise a peg 803 that can secure fixed into theground.

FIG. 9A illustrates how mobile paint booth 100 can be expanded. Mobilepaint booth 100 can be inflated through air pump 504 that can beconnected to air inlets 502. As such, the air exterior space 106 can bepushed into inflatable frame 101.

FIG. 9B illustrates internal view of mobile paint booth 100 at anexpanded state 900. As the air from exterior space 106 gets pumped intomobile paint booth 100, roof 102, floor 103 and walls 104 can start toexpand together with inflatable frame 101. Moreover, since inflatableframe 101 comprises air vents 601, the air within inflatable frame 101can be pushed out from air vents 601. This can allow positive airpressure to enter bed liner booth 100 and preventing other particulatesto enter interior space 105. Furthermore, since air vents 601 can beplaced on one side surface of inflatable frame 101, the air getsdirected into interior space 105 in one direction only. As such in oneembodiment, exhaust panels 401 can be positioned facing the direction ofsaid air vents 601. In such embodiment, the air is directed from oneside of interior space 105 and flows through the direction of exhaustpanels 401. This structure can be advantageous in a sealed space sincethe unidirectional movement of air can enable the worker to get maximumefficiency in air turn-over and pulling contaminants toward a filterwhen applying paint to an automobile. Moreover such structure canprovide better airflow within mobile paint booth 100. Further, sinceexhaust panels 401 can comprise filters 402, the air can first befiltered through exhaust panels 401, prevent potential contamination ofexterior space 106. Lastly, the air that goes out through exhaust panels401 can then be directed upwards by flaps 403.

FIG. 9C illustrates how mobile paint booth 100 can be secured in place.Once mobile paint booth 100 is fully inflated and is at expanded state900, ropes 801 at the opposite wall section 104 can be tied into asturdy or permanent structure or can be fastened into the ground. In anembodiment wherein each rope 801 can comprise peg 803, peg 803 can beused to bore the other end of rope 801 into the ground. As such,securing mobile paint booth 100 in place.

FIG. 9D illustrates an automobile 901 being maneuvered into mobile paintbooth 100. After mobile paint booth 100 is secured in place, automobile901 can be maneuvered into entry port 300. Entry port 300 can be openedby unfastening zip fastener 302 from second wall 204. Mat 304 can beused as a cover to protect entry port 300 as automobile 901 ismaneuvered into interior space 105.

FIG. 9E illustrates automobile 901 within mobile paint booth 100. Onceautomobile 901 is positioned within interior space 105, entry port 300can be sealed again to protect interior space 105 from being exposed tocontaminants that are present in exterior space 106. Thus, zip fastener302 can be used to bind entry port 300 with second wall 204, completelysealing interior space 105 from exterior space 106. In an embodimentwherein entry port 300 can comprise first door 303 a, workers or thedriver of automobile 901 can use first door 303 a to enter and/or exitfrom mobile paint booth 100.

FIG. 9F illustrates external view of first wall 203 comprising seconddoor 303 b and orifices 501. In such structure, workers can also accesssecond door 303 b from first wall 203. As such, doors 303 can also befastened back in place through zip fastener 302 after workers enterand/or exit mobile paint booth 100. This is to ensure that interiorspace 105 is sealed from the particulates in exterior space 106.Furthermore, air pressured device such as a hose can be inserted withinmobile paint booth 100 through orifices 501 in first wall 203.

FIG. 9G illustrates emergency exit 700 in one of wall section 104. In ascenario wherein workers need to exit out from mobile paint booth 100immediately, the workers within interior space 105 can pull quick-pullhandle 702 to open emergency exit 700 from wall section 104. Sinceemergency exit 700 can be connected to wall section 104 through a hookand loop fastener, a quick pull on emergency exit 700 can expose opening701, allowing workers to easily get out from mobile paint booth 100.

Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methodsare possible without departing from the scope of the following claims.Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as beingseparate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may beomitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the methodis being implemented in. It is to be understood that the abovedescription is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Forexample, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination witheach other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill inthe art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the inventionshould, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims,along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims areentitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which”are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms“comprising” and “wherein.”

1. A system for maintaining airflow in an inflatable booth an inflatableframe that at least partially defines an interior space, further atleast a portion of a surface of said inflatable frame within or on theboundary of said interior space; one or more air inlets that receive airfor said inflatable frame; one or more air vents on said portion of saidsurface of said inflatable frame, said one or more air vents allowingair to pass from the inside of said inflatable frame to said interiorspace; and one or more exhaust panels positioned on one of said wallsection facing the direction of said air vents, further wherein each ofsaid exhaust panels comprises a filter.
 2. The system of claim 1 furthercomprising wall sections.
 3. The system of claim 2 further comprisingone or more exhaust panels within one or more of said wall sections. 4.The system of claim 3 wherein each of said one or more air vents pointsto one of said one or more exhaust panels.
 5. The system of claim 1wherein each of said one or more air vents points substantially in thesame direction.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein said interior spacemaintains a positive pressure relative to an exterior space.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein each of said one or more air vents comprises afilter.
 8. The system of claim 3 wherein each of said one or moreexhaust panels comprises a filter.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein saidexhaust panel comprise a mesh, said mesh supporting said filter, furtherwherein said exhaust panel connects to one of said one or more wallsections by a fastener.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein said fasteneris a hook and loop fastener.
 11. The system of claim 6 furthercomprising a flap mounted to an exterior of said wall section oppositesaid exhaust panel.
 12. A method for maintaining airflow within aninflatable booth maintaining air supply to an inflatable booth, whereinsaid inflatable booth comprises; an inflatable frame that at leastpartially defines an interior space, further at least a portion of asurface of said inflatable frame within or on the boundary of saidinterior space; one or more air inlets that receive air for saidinflatable frame; one or more air vents on said portion of said surfaceof said inflatable frame, said air vents allowing air to pass from theinside of said inflatable frame to said interior space; and pushing airfrom said inflatable frame through said one or more air vents.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein said inflatable booth further comprises oneor more exhaust panels mounted to a wall section.
 14. The method ofclaim 13 wherein said inflatable booth wherein said air from said airvents flow towards the direction of said exhaust panels.
 15. The methodof claim 14 further comprising the step of pushing said air from saidinterior space an exterior space through said exhaust panels.
 16. Themethod of claim 15 furthering comprising the step of filtering said airusing a filter of said exhaust panels
 17. The method of claim 16 furthercomprising the step of directing the air from said exhaust panels usinga flap.